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Renovation

Hale Library Reimagined

We have embarked on a $6.5 million campaign to create a variety of technology-supported learning environments on Hale Library’s first floor. Help us create a space for students to meet, study and pursue interdisciplinary collaboration.

Hale Library is one of the most utilized spaces on campus with approximately 30,000 visits every week during the academic year. With this renovation, K-Staters will have access to

Digital tools capable of elevating the reach and impact of K-State research

Classrooms and meeting rooms for teaching and learning excellence

Adaptable spaces ideal for connecting students to multiple campus services and academic disciplines

Frequently Asked Questions

Construction will begin May 14 on the first-floor renovation. We hope to have the construction completed during the fall 2018 semester. During construction, the first floor will be closed, including Einstein's Bros. Bagels and the Anita C. Lehner 24 Hour Study Area. Hale Library's second through fifth floors will remain open, and our schedule is always available online.

The ground-floor entrance on the south side of the building also will be closed. Visitors will need to access Hale Library via the public entrance at the top of the ramp that starts near the English/Counseling Services Building.

The first floor renovation project will be paid for entirely by private donor contributions. No state money and no student tuition or fees will be used on the project. When we reach our goal, this will be the only capital improvement effort in K-State Libraries history funded entirely through philanthropic gifts.

The lead gift comes from Dave and Ellie Everitt of Marco Island, Florida. They gave $3 million in spring 2017.

Ellie Everitt graduated from Kansas State University in 1973 with a degree in clothing and textiles from the College of Human Ecology. Dave Everitt received his degree in industrial engineering from the College of Engineering in 1975. They are both KSU Foundation trustees and serve on the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign steering committee. Dave Everitt is on the foundation's board of directors.

More than 650,000 low-use items are stored in the K-State Libraries Annex, a facility that opened in late 2014 near the Manhattan Regional Airport. The annex features 2,200 square feet of office and processing space, plus 20,000 square feet of climate-controlled storage that can hold an estimated 1.1 million volumes.

By moving books and other items that were rarely used off-site, more floor space opened up, which unlocks new possibilities for all of K-State Libraries’ locations—including Hale Library’s first floor.

Our renovation will remove the wall that currently separates Hale Library’s ground floor entrance and vestibule from the rest of the first floor. Instead of coming in on the ground floor, climbing the stairs, entering the library through the second floor gates, and then descending the stairs to first floor, visitors will also be able to proceed directly into the first floor learning commons.

K-State Libraries are dedicated to finding a way to reinstate extended hours at Hale Library. We are working closely with the architects to find solutions that, at a minimum, would allow us to keep the new first floor open.

Hale Library is closed for the 2018-2019 school year due to a fire on May 22 that caused significant damage to the building.

For more information about the fire and available services, including alternate study locations, visit the recovery website.